Infuriating woman.
Lillian’s POV
In avoiding Grayson, I spent a lot of time outside, away from most of the other people in the palace, including the servants. At first, I spent most of my time in the gardens, admiring the flowers, bushes, and the trees. But venturing out from there, I found an archery range.
Some bows and arrows were just lying there, with the range mostly abandoned, except for a soldier practicing at the far end.
The minute I touched a bow, it was like a sense of calm washed over me. I had not had a chance to practice archery in some time, though I had been rigorously trained in my youth – in secret, without my family’s knowledge.
Taking stance at a distance from the target, I took my stance, raised the bow, and notched an arrow. Breathing shallowly, in and out, I held my breath and focused on the target.
Right here, in this moment, nothing else in the whole of the world existed except for me, my bow, and this target. For the first time in months, my mind was carefully blank, and a sense of peace washed over me.
I released the bowstring.
The arrow flew.
It landed dead-center of the target. Bullseye.
I exhaled, a small smile finding my lips.
Then someone behind me started clapping.
At once, my smile fell, my body tensing. I rushed to put the bow back where I found it.
“No need to rush, my Lady. I only wanted to celebrate your excellent shot.”
I followed the sound of the voice to an approaching man. He was in his early-to-mid thirties, with dusty brown hair and a mischievous smile.
“You handled that bow so naturally. And that stance! It reminded me of the legendary First Warrior,” he said.
Thinking back, I remembered the mysterious man who had trained me, who had been so diligent and kind, seeing something in me that even my own family could not. He had taught me to fire a bow and then disappeared like he had never been there at all. If not for the learned skill, I might have doubted he had ever existed at all.
But, I still vaguely remembered his face. He had been far too young to be the same age as a warrior of legend. More likely, he had just been a wayward traveler.
Since I had met him, I’d kept his existence and appearance in my life a secret. I saw no reason to change that now and divulge his training to a stranger.
Instead, I stood taller, prouder, and examined the man who was approaching me. His clothes were the utmost finery, and he had a carefree way about him, in his easy smile. Even in the way he walked.
“You are a woman of mystery,” he said, and winked. “That’s my favorite kind.”
“I don’t know who you are,” I said.
“I can tell, and it’s delightful. That doesn’t happen much these days. I’d like to keep it going if I could.”
“I’d prefer you state your name clearly, as well as your intentions.”
He lifted a brow. “You first.”
We stared at each other a moment, during which my nerves prickled and his grin widened. He was enjoying this. Perhaps even enjoying my unease.
“Uncle!” Josephine called from nearby. “Uncle Benedict, where are you?”
She stumbled out of the clearing and into view. She looked at me first, and then at my mysterious new companion.
Huffing, she placed a hand on her hips. “Uncle Benedict, there you are! You are in big trouble.”
Lillian’s POV
Benedict placed a hand on his chest, right over his heart. “Whatever it is, I swear I’m innocent.”
Josephine shook her head. “You are supposed to greet Mom and Dad when you arrive. I swear you bypassed the throne room on purpose.”
“Why make a big deal about my appearance? I’m here all the time,” Benedict said. “You know I hate those stuffy/ formalities.”
“Who doesn’t?” Josephine said. “But they’ll be cross with you if you ignore them.”
“My dear big brother will get over it,” Benedict said. “He knows how I am. Besides…” He turned his gaze back to me. “I found something very interesting here. Much more worth my time.”
Josephine rolled her eyes as she approached. “Watch yourself, Lillian. He prides himself as a charmer but really he’s a shameless flirt.”
“Is that any way to talk about your Uncle?” Benedict said with faux offense. His wide grin and the sparkle in his eye countered any harshness the words might have hinted at.
“I suppose I should introduce you,” Josephine said, ignoring him. “Lillian, this is Prince Benedict, brother of the King, and my uncle. Grayson’s uncle too. Uncle, this is Lillian, Grayson’s surrogate.”
Both of Benedict’s brows rose high on his head as he looked at me now. “So you are the one who bested Grayson’s protective wolf.”
“I didn’t do anything,” I said, feeling slightly embarrassed.
“I beg to differ,” Benedict said. “Many women were hurt trying to earn its favor. Some were even killed. For you to have not just survived but been accepted… that means you are special.”
I didn’t feel special. After all that had happened, I still didn’t understand why Grayson’s wolf had accepted me, when it seemed that Grayson himself would have rather I been chased away like the others had been.
He reached out for my hand, clasping it with both of his before I could even think of pulling away.
“Thank you for helping to take care of my nephew,” Benedict said. His smile slowly dimmed. “I take it there has been no change in his condition.”
“There hasn’t been,” I said at once. As angry as I was with Grayson, I was determined not to actually betray him. I never would have, but I was doubly determined now, if only to prove Grayson’s assumptions about me wrong.
“I am sorry to hear that, and not just for his sake. I imagine it must be difficult, undergoing your pregnancy without the support of a mate,” Benedict said. “I have brought you some medicines that I have found in my travels that should help stabilize the pregnancy. They should make things easier for you.”
“Thank you,” I said. “But I’m not pregnant… yet.”
“You aren’t?” Benedict asked, surprise clear. “Haven’t you been here a while?”
“Yes, but…”
“No, you don’t have to explain. Forgive my outburst.” Benedict nodded, as if coming to his own understanding without any of my input. “It must be difficult to lie with an unconscious man. Your body probably feels no attraction.”
Heat rose in my cheeks. Lack of attraction was not one of my problems.
Josephine covered her ears. “I don’t want to talk about this! That’s my brother! So gross!”
“Sorry, Josie,” Benedict said. “Though you will have to face the birds and the bees sooner rather than later. Aren’t you engaged?”
Josephine lowered her hands, but immediately looked like she wished she hadn’t. “No, Uncle Benedict. That wedding is off.”
“Oh.” He titled his head. “Well, good, honestly. That man wasn’t worth standing in your shadow, niece.”
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